Biology

Head of Dept: Mrs K Barnett


Staff in department

Miss Z Kyte, Mr P Laird, Miss G McGowan, Mrs L Steen,  Mrs R Bonnan (Technician)

A Level

  • A level exam board: CCEA
Module% of AS or
A2 grade
How is it assessed?Module Title
AS Module 137.5% of AS
15% of A level
External written exam
1 hour 30 mins at the end of Year 13
Molecules and Cells
AS Module 237.5% of AS
15% of A level
External written exam
1 hour 30 mins at the end of Year 13
Organisms and Biodiversity
AS Module 325% of AS
10% of A level
External written exam assessing practical skills 1 hour+ Internal practical assessmentPractical skills
A2 Module 124% of A levelExternal written examination 2 hours 15 mins at the end of Year 14Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems
A2 Module 224% of A levelExternal written examination 2 hours 15 mins at the end of Year 14Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends
A2 Module 312% of A levelExternal written examination assessing practical skills
+ 1 hour 15 mins Internal practical assessment
Practical skills

GCSE

GCSE% of GCSE gradeHow is it assessed?Unit title
Unit 135%External written exam Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 mins. Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 minsCells, Living Processes and Biodiversity
Unit 240%External written exam Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 mins. Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 minsBody Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health
Unit 325%Booklet A: Students carry out two pre-released practicals

Booklet B: External written examination
Practical Skills

KS3: Brief topic overview

Year 8
Taught as Junior Science. Biology topics involved are Classification, Cells and Respiration, Reproduction, Working as A Scientist.

Year 9
Taught as Junior Science. Biology topics involved are Plant and Animal Nutrition, Nervous System and Ecology.

Year 10
Food and Energy, Circulation, Enzymes, Microbiology, DNA